Convertible building



A. W. GOULD.

CONVERTIBLE BUILDlNG.

APPLlcATloN man DEC. 21, i919.

1,356,709. .Patented ont. 26,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Fi E... L

A. W. GOULD.

CONVERTIBLE BUILDING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.27. 1919.

Patented oct. 26,1920.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 nucntoz 'm1, w74' Snow,

UNITED STATES :PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS WARREN cfoUnD, orsEAT'rLn, Wasi-1I'ivev'rou;

coNvEnTIBLE BUILDING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 27, 1919. Serial lNo. 347,751.

county of King, State of l/Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Buildings, of which the following is a speciiication. j

My invention relates to convertible buildings of the type used as theaters, for eXhibitions, and the like, and which may be converted from one type to another at will.

The object of my invention is to construct a building in the form ofa theater in such manner that it may be varied in size and proportion at will, to permit its use for varied exhibitions, and the better to adapt it to larger or smaller audiences.

My invention comprises the novel parts and combinations thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings, described in the specication, and defined by the claims terminating the same.

In the drawings I have shown my con! struction 1n a form which embodies my in-.

vention and which is now preferred by me.

Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a building constructed according to my invention, parts being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of such a building.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectiontaken at right angles to Fig. 2. Y ig. 4 is a section of a portion of the Xed 'side balcony section, showing the bearing thereon of the adjustable end section.

Herein the invention is illustrated in connection with a hall or room 1 of a building. At one end thereof is provided a stage 2. At the sides of the room are tiers of seats which comprise the balconies 4. Beneath the lower balcony, and near the main floor 8, loge sections 3 may be'provided along the sides of the room. Preferably these side balconies and loge sections are free from chairs or obstructions while adjustment of the building is being made, at least for the distance affected by such adjustment.

At an end of the building, as that end opposite the stage, a movable section ,5 is provided. This may be formed with balconies 4 and a loge section 3, as shown. The balconies may be supported from each other and from the loge section 3 by means of the pillars 9. The entire section 5 may be mounted to move upon rollers 6 and 7 which yverted into a small theater.

roll upon the floor 8. At the sides the movable section 5 may be guided by rollers 12 which are mounted thereon and which engagev the parapet 10 of `the balconies 4 or loge 'sections 3, or in any other suitable man ner. Further guiding support may be afforded by the bearing of the sides of the section 5, as cut out to lit theside balconies 4.

As a means for moving the section 5, I provide motors 15, mounted to turn shafts rat-enserio@ 2e, 192e.

cov

16, which are connected to turn the pinions 17. These pinions engage racks 18 which are secured to the under sides of the fixed loge sections 3. Any other suitable means for adjusting the section 5 may be used.

To enable those inthe rear of the theater to obtain a clear view of the stage, I may employ a supplemental ioor 14, which is secured to the front or stage end of the movable section 5, and which slopes downward' toward the stage. This moves with the section 5. It is to be understood that the bal- When it is desired to decrease thesize of the theater the section 5 is moved forward as described heretofore. The ends of the balcony sections 4 are cut away so that they t and slide over the fixed balconies 4. This is shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The entire section 5, including the supplemental lioor 14, may be moved forward to a position corresponding to the dotted line position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The buildin@ is then conperformance may be given upon the stage, and persons in all parts of the house will be able to view the stage properly.

If it is desired to use the main iioor 8 for a performance, or if it is desired to enlarge the theaters seating capacity, the movable section 5 is moved back. Additional seats are available in the side balconies and loges. and a large main iioor space is available for seats or for a performance. p

While the section 5 is moved forward, thev space to the rear of the wall 5 forms a large room, which might be used for dancing or 1. An auditorium having terraced` seats extending lengthwise along opposite sides thereof and a rear section bodily movable from front to rear and provided With seating matching those along the side of the auditorium, the ends of said movable rear section being notched to correspondl With the cross-section of said side seats.

2. 'A building containing an auditorium, entrance aisles alongside of and Without the auditorium and communicating therewith at intervals, a section at the rear of the auditoriiun movable'bodily toward and from the Herein it is shown as merging liront and having a cross section corresponding to that of the auditorium, said movable section having a foyer and balcony anda rear partition Wall extending from floor to ceiling, the ends of said movable section being VVnotched to correspond with the outline vof side galleries, and movable over said galleries.

3. A building of the type described having side galleries Which are supported Wholly from the sidewalls and a movable rear section which is notched to t'closely about the side galleries and movable lengtlr Wise of said side galleries. K

Signed at Seattle, King county, l/Vashi'ngton, this 6th day of December, 1919.

AUGUSTUS VARREN GOULD. 

